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Sentinel-3 Calibration and Validation Planning Meeting

The Global Monitoring for Environment and Securing (GMES) Sentinel-3 mission will measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature, ocean-colour and land-reflectance's with high-end accuracy and reliability in support of GMES Marine, Land, Emergency and Security services and for environmental and climate monitoring. The Sentinel-3 mission will generate and provide sustained near real-time core-products for GMES as an operational service. The mission will be operated jointly by ESA for Land products and EUMETSAT for Marine products.

The Sentinel-3 satellite is now being manufactured and expected to launch in late 2013. The Satellite carries improved follow-on instruments to the highly successful ENVISAT platform including:

The use of OLCI and SLSTR instruments in synergy will provide continuity to SPOT Vegetation products.

After launch, a 5-month Mission Commissioning Phase (E1) followed by a Long term Operational Mission Phase (E2) will be initiated. During E1 intensive activities will establish the functionality and initial performance of the Sentinel-3 system based on calibration and validation activities. Following a successful commissioning review, the satellite will then continue in nominal operations for Phase E2 supported by on-going calibration and validation activities to monitor and maintain data quality.

This joint ESA-EUMETSAT meeting will present an overview and status of Sentinel-3 calibration and validation activities, review the Draft Sentinel-3 Calibration/Validation Plan (CVP), seek lessons learned feedback and inputs from previous R&D and operational missions, the calibration and validation community and, provide Sentinel-3 teams with prioritized recommendations to ensure an effective and successful mission cal/val outcome. In particular, emphasis will be given to operational cal/val issues and associated activities.